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Atmospheric Water Generation (AWG) System for 300 People in Clifton, IdahoClifton, Idaho (population ~300, located in Franklin County near the Utah border at ~5,000 ft elevation), has a semi-arid continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm, dry summers. This affects AWG feasibility, as these systems rely on atmospheric moisture (relative humidity, RH) and temperature for efficient water extraction. AWG condenses water vapor from air, but output drops significantly in low RH (<40%) or cold temperatures (<18°C/65°F), where absolute humidity (water content in air) is low. Below, I'll examine the local weather, calculate estimated water yield based on available data and formulas from studies, and provide costs for a system scaled to 300 people (assuming 20-50 liters/person/day, or 6,000-15,000 liters/day total).Weather and Humidity ExaminationClifton's data is limited due to its small size, so I used nearby Preston, ID (10 miles away, similar elevation and climate) as a proxy. Data from sources like Weather-US, Climate-Data.org, and US Climate Data show:
Annual Averages: Mean temperature ~7.8°C (46°F); RH ~55-60% (higher mornings ~70%, lower afternoons ~40%). Precipitation ~464 mm/year (18 inches), mostly as winter snow. Summers are dry (low RH), winters humid but cold.
Monthly Breakdown (average high/low temps in °C/°F, mean temp, and estimated RH; RH varies daily but averages from regional patterns—winters 70-90%, summers 30-50%):
Month
High Temp (°C/°F)
Low Temp (°C/°F)
Mean Temp (°C/°F)
Avg RH (%)
Notes
January
-1.6/29
-10.3/13
-5.9/21
85-90
High humidity but freezing; heavy snow (425 mm/16.7 in).
February
0/32
-8/18
-4/25
80-85
Similar to Jan; most rainfall (57 mm/2.2 in).
March
7/45
-3/27
2/36
70-75
Transition; snow decreases.
April
13/55
0/32
6.5/44
60-65
Milder, more rain.
May
19/66
4/39
11.5/53
55-60
Low snow; increasing warmth.
June
24/75
8/46
16/61
45-50
Dry; longest daylight (15.2 hrs).
July
29/84
11/52
20/68
30-40
Hottest, driest (RH min ~30%); low rain (9 mm/0.35 in).
August
28/82
10/50
19/66
35-45
Dry, sunny.
September
23/73
5/41
14/57
45-50
Cooling; light snow possible.
October
15/59
0/32
7.5/45
55-60
Fall transition.
November
7/45
-4/25
1.5/35
70-75
Snow increases.
December
-1.8/29
-10/14
-6/21
75-80
Coldest; snow (315 mm/12.4 in).
Key Insights: Summers are warm (up to 29°C/84°F) but low RH (30-40%), leading to low absolute humidity (~6-10 g/m³). Winters are humid (80-90%) but cold (-10°C/14°F lows), with absolute humidity ~2-4 g/m³ due to low vapor-holding capacity of cold air. Best months for AWG: May-September (warmer temps offset lower RH). Worst: December-February (cold limits condensation). Annual sunny days ~206; wind ~8-11 mph. Climate is drier than coastal/humid areas, making AWG less efficient than in tropical regions but viable with solar augmentation or hybrid systems (e.g., combined with rainwater).
Calculations for Water YieldAWG output depends on absolute humidity (AH, g water/m³ air), air flow, and efficiency. Using the formula for AH:AH (g/m³) = 216.7 × (RH/100 × e_s) / (T + 273.15)Where e_s (saturation vapor pressure, hPa) = 6.112 × exp(17.67 × T / (T + 243.5)), T in °C.Efficiency: Studies show ~50-70% extraction rate for commercial units. I used data from a 1-2 kW unit producing ~0.95 L/hr at 22°C/63% RH (AH ~12 g/m³) as a baseline, scaling to industrial units (e.g., 5,000 L/day rated at 30°C/80% RH, AH ~24 g/m³). For 300 people at 50 L/day (15,000 L/day total), assume 3-4 large units (e.g., Watergen GEN-L, ~5,000 L/day each at optimal conditions).
Estimated Daily Yield per 5,000 L/day Unit (adjusted for Clifton's AH; k-factor from baseline ~0.08 L/hr per g/m³ AH, assuming 1,000 m³/hr airflow and 50% efficiency):
Optimal (30°C/80% RH, AH ~24 g/m³): 5,000 L/day.
Clifton Summer (Jul: 20°C mean/35% RH, AH ~7 g/m³): ~1,450 L/day (29% of optimal; low RH limits).
Clifton Winter (Jan: -6°C/87% RH, AH ~2.5 g/m³): ~520 L/day (10% of optimal; cold air holds little moisture).
Annual Average (AH ~6-8 g/m³): ~1,250-1,650 L/day per unit.
System for 300 People: 3 units for 3,750-4,950 L/day avg (covers minimal 20 L/person/day survival needs but short of 50 L/person/day). For full 15,000 L/day, need 9-12 units or larger custom setup. Monthly yield varies 50-70% from average due to seasons—highest Jun-Aug (6,000 L/day/system), lowest Dec-Feb (~1,500 L/day/system).
Energy Use: 1-3 kWh/L in low AH conditions (higher than optimal 0.5-1 kWh/L). Annual cost ~$0.15-0.30/L at Idaho electricity rates ($0.12/kWh), or $8,000-16,000/year for 15,000 L/day.
Feasibility: Marginal—viable as supplementary (e.g., hybrid with wells/rainwater) but not primary due to low AH (avg 5-8 g/m³ vs. ideal 15+ g/m³). Output drops below 40% RH or 18°C. Solar-powered units recommended for off-grid; add evaporative pre-coolers for dry summers.
Math Explanation: For Jul example—e_s = 6.112 × exp(17.67×20/(20+243.5)) ≈ 23.8 hPa; e = 0.35×23.8 ≈ 8.3 hPa; AH = 216.7×8.3 / 293 ≈ 1,800/293 ≈ 6.1 g/m³. Yield = (6.1 / 24) × 5,000 ≈ 1,270 L/day (proportional to AH vs. optimal).Costs
System Cost: For 15,000 L/day capacity (3-4 industrial units like GENAQ or Watergen GEN-L): $200,000-$400,000 (including installation; $50,000-$100,000/unit for large-scale). Custom "AWG farms" for arid areas add 20-30% for enhancements. Prices as of 2025; market growing at 8% CAGR.
Operating Costs: $0.15-$0.30/L in Clifton (energy-intensive due to low AH); ~$27,000-$55,000/year for 15,000 L/day. Maintenance/filters: $5,000-$10,000/year.
Total First-Year Cost: $250,000-$500,000. ROI in 5-10 years vs. bottled water ($0.50-$1/L) or trucking ($0.20-$0.50/L).
AWG is feasible but suboptimal in Clifton—best as backup. Consider hybrids for reliability.Community Bunker in Clifton, IdahoFor a community bunker (e.g., 2,000 sq ft for 50-100 people, with rooms for living/storage), costs are similar to national averages but factor in Idaho's permitting (~$1,000-$2,000), excavation ($10,000-$20,000 in rocky soil), and labor (10-20% lower than coastal areas).
Basic Build (steel/concrete shell, ventilation, basic amenities): $400,000-$800,000 ($200-$400/sq ft). DIY elements reduce to $300,000-$600,000.
Luxury/Expanded (solar power, water storage, reinforced): $1M-$2M+.
Prefab Options (e.g., Atlas Shelters): $50,000-$200,000 for modular units, plus $20,000-$50,000 install/delivery.
Additional Costs: Permits $1,000-$2,000; utilities $10,000-$30,000; concealment/landscaping $5,000-$15,000. Idaho's dry soil aids excavation, but check zoning (rural areas flexible).
Total for basic community bunker: $450,000-$900,000. Consult local engineers for seismic/flood risks.